Q: Tell us a little about the process of creating your new programs. The short one is very catchy. But weren’t you afraid to use the same music that Javier Fernandes had skated a very vivid program choreographed by Morozov to? A: When we set about choreographing my programs in America, Nikolai was listening to a lot of tunes, and at one point told me: ‘Come on, try skating to this one!’ I came to the ice, did one of my old step sequences, and he immediately said: ‘OK, we’re taking it! And I don’t care if they say that Javier has skated to it. The program will be superb, a real killer!’ Q: The short program is in the same mood with your previous ones: it’s upbeat, vivid and humorous. But in your free program you’re trying a new image. A: Yes, I’ve never performed to such music. This time I nearly burst in tears when skating, because I was overwhelmed with emotions. Q: Was it difficult to warm to the role? A: At first it was a bit difficult, of course. Some of my old jerky movements were appearing from time to time. But it’s getting easier. The more so, that the jumps are placed very conveniently, in accordance with the music. Now it even seems that such music is dearer to me. I once asked Nikolai, if there was any story behind this music? What is it about? But he said: ‘Just try to feel the tragedy and the anguish that it expresses’. Q: So, do you mean you don’t play anyone’s part, but only show your emotions? A: Most likely, you’re right. Q: They say that there are no trifles in figure skating. I can’t speak for others, but when the last warm-up group appeared on the ice, I simply opened my mouth in amazement: you were looking like a real queen. Your hair-do was gorgeous, and I think it ‘made’ the image to a large extent. But as far as I know, you won’t be able to take your stylist to Canada… A: I don’t know how we will get out of the situation yet. Maybe I’ll contrive something together with my coach. Of course, I would like to look the way the image implies. It makes the program completed and gives me a special feeling when I’m on the ice. I felt this way at the last Worlds, when a stylist set my hair, too, both for the short and free programs. Q: You have entered three GP events already, and in two weeks’ time you’ll compete in the final. Aren’t you tired because of such a tight schedule? A: The right to enter three events is a great opportunity. With every event you can improve your result, and each time you feel more confident. It’s nothing else but an advantage, and I’m not tired at all. I’ll have enough time to respire: the two weeks are quite a long while, I think. Q: Are you going to concentrate on polishing your technique? A: I hope that I will skate even better in Quebec than in Moscow. I want to achieve a better result each time. The more so that my next event will be Russian Nationals, and I want to be in my best shape by then. I can’t say I’ve skated my programs perfectly here, so there is some work to be done. My performance in Moscow wasn’t my best possible skating. Q: I remember you saying that you’d like to master new 3-3 combinations… A: I’m still thinking about it, but I have no time to make a reality of my thoughts. It’s not necessary at the moment, too. In practices I work on other jumps. Nikolai has said to me that the main thing is to get pluses for my 3T-3T combination. It is important to execute all the program elements at a high level. Then more difficult combinations become rather unnecessary. Q: Alena, the next Olympics will take place in Sochi. Being a Russian athlete, do you feel the growing pressure? A: No, I don’t. It doesn’t matter to me what people say about it. I think it’s no use, and live for the day. I’m not even thinking much about tomorrow’s exhibition gala.
Translated by Mikhail Sharov
Source: http://www.championat.com/other/article-104753-leonova-k-chr-khochetsja-podojti-na-maksimume.html | 
